In a recent study conducted by WalletHub, the personal-finance outlet assessed happiness levels in all 50 states of the US by examining various factors that contribute to emotional and physical well-being. While happiness can be subjective, WalletHub’s research aims to measure it using three main categories: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment.
This comprehensive analysis used a total of 30 metrics, including life expectancy, rates of adult depression, commute time, unemployment figures and divorce rates, data from reliable sources such as the US Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Is included. Here’s a look at America’s 10 happiest states
List of 10 happiest states in America in 2024
Source: WalletHub
A look at America’s happiest states in 2024
Airport
It is ranked as the happiest state in America, with the highest scores for emotional and physical well-being. Residents report the lowest rates of depressive disorders (12.5%) and the highest life expectancy (79.9 years). The state also ranks third in community and environment and is known for its low divorce rate.
However, Hawaii’s work environment ranked 31st with a below-average employment rate of 57%. Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, despite a high median household income of $95,322, which affected its overall score.
maryland
Maryland was ranked the second-happiest state, ranking in the top-10 in all categories. With a low depressive disorder rate of 18.1% and a life expectancy of 77.2 years, the state ranks third in terms of emotional and physical well-being. Maryland also scored well in community and environment and ranked 6th with a 36.3% volunteer rate.
The state ranked 10th for work environment, with a median household income of $98,678, and the highest percentage of households earning more than $75,000 annually.
new Jersey
New Jersey ranked third overall, largely due to its strong emotional and physical well-being ranking (second). The state has one of the lowest rates of depressive disorders (14.6%) and a high life expectancy of 79 years. Residents also enjoy high life satisfaction rates.
The state’s work environment and community and environment ranking was mid-tier, with a commute time of 31.4 minutes above average and a volunteering rate of 26.1%.
delaware
Delaware ranks 5th overall for happiness, with its strongest ranking (4th) in community and environment. The state was ranked 20th safest and had mid-range volunteer rates. However, the state’s employment rate (59.6%) and median household income ($81,361) fell slightly above the national average.
Delaware ranks 10th in terms of emotional and physical well-being, with a life expectancy of 76.3 years and a depressive disorder rate of 19.9%.
utah
Utah ranks first in both work environment and community and environment. The state’s median household income is $93,421, and families make even more, $107,507. Employees in Utah work an average of 36.8 hours weekly, with men working 40 hours and women working 33.2 hours. Utah has the lowest divorce rate and highest volunteer rate in the country.
However, Utah’s emotional and physical well-being ranked low (27th) due to high rates of depressive disorders (26.5%).
connecticut
Connecticut ranked 6th for emotional and physical well-being, and in the top 50% in all categories overall. The state reported a low rate of depressive disorders (19.3%) and a life expectancy of 79.2 years. The median household income is also above average at $91,665. Employment in Connecticut is 63.1%, and residents work an average of 37.9 hours weekly.
The state’s lowest ranking was in community and environment (21st), with middling volunteer rates and a relatively high divorce rate.
minnesota
Minnesota earned top-10 rankings for work environment and community and environment, ranking 4th and 8th, respectively. Employment in the state is as high as 66.2%, and the average commute time is only 22.7 minutes. Minnesota residents work 38.1 hours per week, and the median household income is $85,086. Minnesota has the highest volunteerism rate in the country at 45.1%.
Although Minnesota has a high life expectancy of 78.8 years, the state ranks 12th in emotional and physical well-being, partly due to an above-average rate of depressive disorders (23.5%).
idaho
Idaho excelled in work environment and community and environment, ranking third and second overall, respectively. Census 2023 According to ACS, the state has the highest income growth and lowest average work hours, at 37.8 hours weekly. Households in Idaho earn a median income of $91,098. However, emotional and physical well-being ranked 30th, with 22.7% of adults diagnosed with depressive disorders.
Despite Idaho’s high life expectancy of 77.2 years, the state’s divorce rates – 12.5% for women and 10.9% for men – hurt its ranking.
nebraska
Nebraska ranked 9th overall, with strong showings in emotional and physical well-being (11th) and work environment (7th). The state has the third lowest rate of depressive disorders at 17%, and the average life expectancy is more than 77.8 years. Nebraska’s employment rate is 66.8%, well above the national average, although its median household income is lower than the national average. Families are better off, with a median income of $96,439.
Despite a shorter average journey time of 19.1 minutes compared to the national 26.8 minutes, the state had the lowest community and environment ranking (28th).
Massachusetts
Massachusetts was ranked as the 10th happiest state, with strong showings in emotional and physical well-being (fourth) and work environment (fifth). According to the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2022, 21.6% of adults reported having a depressive disorder, slightly lower than the national average. Life expectancy is highest at 79.6 years. According to the Census 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), the state’s median household income is $99,858, significantly higher than the national average of $77,719.
However, despite being ranked the 5th safest state in a previous WalletHub study, Massachusetts ranks lower (45th) in community and environment. Factors such as divorce rates, ideal weather, and average leisure time may have influenced this category.
Also read: The 10 most stressed states in America in 2024; view list
